In the current climate of rising workplace violence, it is more important than ever to train healthcare workers in proper use of protective equipment (PPE). However, many people do not have enough time to learn and practice the correct procedures for donning and doffing these garments. A new simulation can help. The healthcare industry needs to educate their staff on proper PPE techniques. In addition, healthcare workers haven’t had enough time to practice. The simulation can help them prepare for the actual event, by acting as a spotter.
The first study examined how to use PPE in Virtual reality, which involved a group of healthcare workers. After enrollment, participants completed a survey asking about their demographics, prior training and experience with hand hygiene, PPE usage, and respiratory samples. Then, a simulation of the VR environment was conducted to assess hand disinfection, the performance of the nasopharyngeal swab, and the contamination that occurs during donning and doffing of PPE.
The next study is aimed at assessing the safety of VR. A simulation of a real-life scenario allows users to observe what happens while wearing PPE. When the training is successful, neuropathways are activated. The simulation can increase accuracy and consistency, and reduce the risk of infection for healthcare workers. A final study will examine the impact of PPE on the workplace. In addition to providing immersive training, VR also provides the opportunity to observe and practice different scenarios without using valuable resources.